Historic and picturesque, Brunswick mixes New England charm with a thriving arts and entertainment culture. Visitors can explore more than fifty ethnically-diverse restaurants, distinctive retail shops, Bowdoin College and its museums and beautiful campus, summer musical theater, a year-round Farmers Market, and cultural offerings at the Town’s many theaters, galleries, museums, and festive community events—nearly all in walking distance of the vibrant downtown.

Performing Arts, galleries & Museums

Coastal Maine is booming with Museums and Galleries.

Performing Arts

MAINE STATE MUSIC THEATRE

he Maine State Music Theatre, now in its 60th season, offers Broadway-caliber musical theatre throughout the summer. The 2018 production season offers a terrific array of productions for all tastes and pleasures.

2018 Maine State Music Theatre Programming

Million Dollar Quartet | June 6 – 23, 2018

Elvis Presley… Johnny Cash… Jerry Lee Lewis… Carl Perkins – a historic quartet brought together by an extraordinary twist of fate on a December evening in 1956. This meeting at Sun Records would become one of the greatest jam sessions ever! Relive the era through the Billboard genres of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B, and country with an unbelievable score and unforgettable numbers that every generation knows, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and many more.

Beauty and the Beast | June 27 – July 14, 2018

This revered fairytale – a timeless family favorite – is one of the largest of the season, with expansive sets, beautifully crafted costumes, a large chorus with a robust sound, and more! All of the fanciful characters, such as a talking tightly wound clock (the butler), adorable tea cup (a young boy), and a kindhearted candelabra (maître d’), are trapped in this spellbound form until the beast, who is actually a young prince, can learn to love and have his love returned. Beauty and the Beast features all the cheerful songs we know and love, including “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and of course “Beauty and the Beast.”

Saturday Night Fever | July 18 – August 4, 2018

Based on the 1977 blockbuster film, Saturday Night Fever whisks you back to the 1970s, where open shirts, bell-bottoms, and disco were all the rage. Tony Manero, a talented street-wise kid from Brooklyn, yearns to escape his dead-end job and become a “disco king” at the local club. Packed with legendary hits from the Bee Gees including: “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and many more, Saturday Night Feversizzles with a compelling story and explosive dance.

Singin’ in the Rain | August 8 25, 2018

Singin’ in the Rain has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline – the starlet, the leading man, and a love affair that could change lives and make or break careers. In silent movies, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a hot item, but behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear on the big screen! Meanwhile, Lina’s squeaky voice might be the end of her career in “talking pictures” without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her.

Ticket information is available by contacting the Maine State Music Theater Box Office at 207.725.8769

BOWDOIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Founded in 1964 by Artistic Director Lewis Kaplan and the late Robert K. Beckwith, the Bowdoin College International Music Festival presents six weeks each summer of distinguished classical artists from renowned chamber groups, orchestras and conservatories worldwide. These professional and extraordinary young musicians travel to Brunswick, Maine each summer to participate in the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

2017 Program: June 25, 2018 – August 3, 2018

2018 is quickly shaping up to be another amazing season at the Bowdoin International Music Festival. Faculty, staff and the festival board are working to finalized scheduling for the 2017 festival. Dates and more information to come.

Museums & Galleries

Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum

The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum was the home of American Civil War general, Bowdoin College president, and Maine Governor Joshua L. Chamberlain for over 50 years. The Museum is located in Brunswick Maine and is open seasonally while in the process of being restored. Patrons will enjoy a well-appointed dining room, curvy room entryway, longfellow parlor, the library, and the governor’s room. Items on display include boots worn by Chamberlain while fighting the battle of Gettysburg, and the minie ball that ultimately took Chamberlain’s life at the battle of Petersburg.

Maine Maritime Museum

Located on a picturesque 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River just minutes from Brunswick. Friendly and knowledgeable docents bring the rich tradition of Maine boat building to life with guided tours of the Percy & Small Shipyard that includes four of the five original Shipyard buildings. Named in the National Registry of Historic Places, the site is the only remaining historic shipyard of its kind still intact today.

Enjoy a Bath Iron Works Trolley Tour, conducted from mid-May to late-October, that takes you behind the gates of Bath Iron Works to see how modern U.S. Navy destroyers are built and to learn why the phrase “Bath Built is Best Built” rings true at this ultra-modern facility.

The Boston Globe called it a “must-see,” Down East Magazine named it a “Best of Maine” attraction and Yankee Magazine named it a “Best of New England.”Be certain to view The Wyoming evocation. The largest outdoor sculpture in New England, it is among the most visited and photographed sites in Maine. The design was conceived by acclaimed Maine sculptors Andreas von Heune and Joe Hemes.

Skolfield-Whittier House

A wonderful example of Victorian history and Brunswick history, the Skolfield-Whittier House has remained a pristine example for the region for about 150 years. You will find a house exactly as it was in 1925; including spices in the pantry and original build documents. The Skolfield-Whittier House is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Bowdoin College Museum of Art

Claiming a spot on the National Register of Historic places, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art is located on the Bowdoin College campus and offers guests a unique way to experience art and architecture. The Museum serves as a gathering place for the College and community with a central location on the College Quadrangle with a core mission to keep its collections accessible to Bowdoin students, faculty, scholars and art lovers. The building was started from donations and ultimately underwent renovations that were highly acclaimed examples of modern entry while preserving the historical structure of the building.

Peary Macmillan Arctic Museum & Arctic Studies Center

Located on the Bowdoin College Campus and named after Bowdoin College graduates and Arctic explorers, the museum is one of only two museums in the United Stated dedicated completely to Arctic Studies. Exhibitions focus on varying elements of the Arctic, including natural life, culture, expedition equipment and also show archival papers, publications and natural history specimens. The Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Sundays from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The Museum is closed on Mondays and on national holidays. Admission is free, and donations are accepted

Pejepscot Historical Society

Founded in 1888, the Pejepscot Historical Society is among the oldest historical societies in the state of Maine. Celebrating the rich histories of Brunswick, Harpswell and Topsham, the society maintains three museums in Brunswick, Maine. The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum is located in the adult home of its namesake who was the hero of Little Round Top at Gettysburg during the Civil War and later served as Governor of Maine and President of Bowdoin College. The Skolfield-Whitter House was home to three generations of prominent Brunswick families with careers in seafaring, medicine and education. And the Pejepscot Museum & Research Center offers rotating exhibits on topics in local history.